Levee building and terracing apparatus



July 0, 1956 M. T. HUEBNER ET AL 2,753,639

LEVEE BUILDING AND TERRACING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet l fa i L49 /7 l l I E l A I m L i (/0/7/7 A. Huebner IMONO/7 7: Huebner INVENTORS 'EI 'E w 2 M ATTORNEYS July 10, 1956 M. T.HUEBNER ETAL LEVEIE BUILDING AND TERRACING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 4, 1951 Mar/0n 7T Huebner INVENTORJ M M ATTORNEYS July 10,1956 M. T. HUEBNER ETAL LEVEE BUILDING AND TERRACING APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4 1951 a/o/m A. Huebner Mar/on 7T HuebnerINVENTORS E ZELJW ATTORNEYJ LEVEIE BUlLDllNGAND lllERRACING APPARATUSMarion T. l-luebner and John A. Huebner, Bay City, Tex. ApplicationApril 4, 1951, Serial No. 219,285 3 Claims. (Cl. 37-466) This inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in levee building and terracingapparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus which isparticularly adapted for use in. building rice field contour levees andlateral canals and in constructing hillside terrace levees for theprevention of erosion.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved leveebuilding and terracing machine including a single frame member formingthe. main structural element of the machine, which member is adapted tobe coupled directly to the tractor or other pulling vehicle; theconstruction not only simplifying manufacture and providing thenecessary strength and rigidity but also permitting backing or reversemovement of the machine by said tractor, whereby the levee building andterracing operations are facilitated.

A particular object is to provide a machine, of the character described,which is so constructed that forward somersaulting or overturning of themachine onto the pullingvehicle, in the event the forward points of theblades engage too deeply into the ground, is positively preventedwhereby safety in operation is assured.

Another object is to provide a levee building and tfil'r' racing.machinewherein the raising andulowering of the blades of the machineisaccurately controlled from the drivers seat of thepulling vehicle andalso whereinthe power requiredfor controlling the depth of the cut takenby .theblades is obtained from the power takeoff of the pulling vehicle.

A furtherobject isltoprovide a machine, of the characterdescribed,wherein therear ends of the blades of said machine are full floatingwhich automatically preventsoverloading and choking to. assure efficientgrading operations; the rear ends of the blades being rigidly connectedtogether to insure uniform operation thereof when operating .over uneventerrain.

Still another objectis to provide an improvedlevee building andterracing machine, wherein the forward portions of the bladesare.connected through rigid connections to the central'framememb'er atsubstantially the point where the forward pulling force is applied,whereby a rigidforward propulsion of the blades may be accomplished; theconnections to the blades being such that there is. no interference withany pivoting or movement of. the blades which may be necessary forcontrol and adjustment.

Another object is to provide a machine, of the character described,wherein the blades are connected by truss rods which are secured to theblades below the plane in which the main axle of the machine is disposedto assure alignment of the bladesand relieve strain on the axleby-effebting a transfer of any. side thrust from one blade to an otherto thereby balancesaid thrust.

A particular object is to provide an improved machine, of the characterdescribed, wherein the supporting wheels of the machine are capable ofinward movement relative to the longitudinal center of the machinewhereby the overall width of the machine may be reduced to within theusual highway limitations to allow said machine to be towed on anordinary highway.

States Patent 6 The construction designed to carryout the invention willbe hereinafter described together withother features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood 'froma reading, of thefollowing specification and by reference to' the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown,and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a levee building andterracing machineconstructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is aside elevation of the machine with one of thesupporting'wheels removed andshowing the blades engaging'the ground,

Figure 3 isa view similar to'Figure' 2 of the rear pur tion of themachine andillustr'atingthe blades in araised position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of one-half ofthe supporting axle andillustrating one of tl1ewlieelsup porting crank arms,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken'longitudinally of the wheelsupporting crank arm on the lineS-S ofFigure i',

Figure 6 is a transverse'sectionalview taken on the line 6-6 of Figure4, and

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 7 -701?Figure 4.

Iirthe drawings, the numeral 10 designates anelongate l-beam whichformsthe main supporting-element ofthe machine. The forward portion of the:beamltyhas a suitable eye or loop 11 welded or otherwise'secure'dthereff to whereby said beam may be readily attached by the usual hitch(notshown) to a tractor or other pulling vehicle. The rear portion ofthe l beam is inclined'of directed upwardly as indicated at l2to form anupwardly inclined beam section. At a pointg'ust forwardly ofth'einclined beam section 12, the beam lltl isatt'achedto a tubular axle orshaft 13 (Figure7) which extendsat sub? stantially a right angle ortransversely of the beam. A' hearing block 14 having a centralopeningdfithrough whichthe shaft 13 extends is secured to" the base flange 10aoftheI-beamby suitable U-bolt s 161 lt will thusbe evident that the beam10 is supported upon the main axle or shaft 13 at substantially thecentral portion thereof while the shaft or 'axleis rotatable within theopcninglti of the bearing block and is therefore rotatable with re,spect'tothe central beam or supportlll. 1

Each outer end of the axle or shaftl3 has a wheel supporting crank arm17 secured theretoin a mannertrl be hereinafter explained. The outer endof each crank arm 17 carries an axle stud 13 on which one of the groundwheels19are mounted. Each crank arm 17 is keyed to the axle or shaft 13so that a rotation of the'shaft will result in a swinging of said crankarms. Because ground wheels rest upon the ground it will be evident thata swingingof the crank arms will result ina raising orlowering oftheaxle or shaft 13 with a resultant raising or lowering of the centralbeam or support 1d of the machine.

For eifecting a rotation of the axle or shaft 13 in order to swing thewheel supporting crank arms 17, a centra l crank member 20 is secured'tothe central portion of the shaft? The crank arm 20 comprises a pairofspaced side bars 20a which are connected at theirouter ends byf aconnecting pin 21 (Figure 1). That end ofeach side bar 2% whichis remotefrom the connecting pin21fis formed with an opening 22 through which themain axle" or shaft 13 extends (Figure 7). Connectingfianges 23 whichare welded to the external surface of the main axle-*or shaft 13arebolted bysuitable bolts 24 to the side bars 20aof the crank 20 and inthis manner the crank 20 is attached to the shaft 13. With this arrangelatentecl July lid, 1956 nected thereto.

3 shaft 13. Since the wheel supporting crank arms 17 are secured to theouter ends of the main axle or shaft 13, rotation of the latter willimpart swinging movement to said cranks to raise and lower the frame.

For swinging the central crank 20 to control rotation of the main shaftor axle 13, the connecting pin 21 at the outer end of the crank isprovided with a clevis 25 to which is attached a suitable pulley block26. A lifting cable 27 (Figure 2) has one end attached to the block 26and passes around the pulley of an idler block 28 which is attached toan upstanding lug 2 3a welded to the upper surface of the central beam10. The cable 27 then passes around the pulley 26a of the block 26 andhas its opposite end wound about a suitable winch or drum 29. With thisarrangement it will be evident that a rotation of the winch or drum 29will result in a tightening or loosening of the operating cable 27, andthis will result in a swinging of the central crank arm 20. It isobvious that the weight of the machine is upon the ground wheels whichwill tend to swing the central crank in the direction of the arrow inFigure 2 and the cable will function to limit this swinging movement. Bywinding the cable further upon the drum 29, the crank 20 will be swungto a direction to the left in Figure 2 which will actually result in alifting of the central beam 10 of the machine.

For imparting rotation to the drum or winch 29 a suitable reversingmechanism M is mounted upon the central beam. This mechanism includes amain shaft 30 which is arranged to impart rotation to a driven shaft 31through either a gear drive 32 or a chain drive 33. A clutch 34selectively controls the transmission of motion from the main shaft 30to the driven shaft 31 and obviously when the drive is through thegears, the shaft 31 is rotated in one direction and when the drive isthrough the chain, rotation of the shaft 31 is in an opposite direction.The shaft 31 is connected through a gear box 35 with the winch. Theclutch 34 is controlled from the drivers seat of the pulling vehiclethrough a control rod 36 and lever 37 so that the operator may controlrotation of the winch without leaving the pulling vehicle. The requiredpower to drive the main shaft 30 is provided through a drive shaft 38which is adapted to be connected to the power take-oft (not shown) ofthe tractor or pulling vehicle.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the machine provides thecentral supporting frame and the main supporting axle. The ground wheels19 are carried by the cranks 17 and upon swinging of the central crankthe axle and central beam are raised and lowered.

The ground engaging blades or mould boards A are supported one on eachside of the machine and each of these blades are mounted in an identicalmanner with the forward portion of each blade being secured to the mainshaft or axle. The mounting of the forward portion of each blade A isclearly shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, and as illustrated therein, the endof the shaft 13 is provided with a longitudinal key 39. A tubular sleeve40 surrounds the end portion of the shaft and is slidable longitudinallyof the shaft while being rotatably con- Each crank arm 17 which includesspaced flanges 42 connected by a web has its end split as shown inFigure 5 and is adapted to be clamped by bolts 41 upon the sleeve 40 soas to be attached to and movable with the sleeve. With this arrangementit will be obvious that the crank is actually carried by the sleeve 40which is in turn keyed upon the main axle or shaft, and thus rotation ofthe main shaft imparts rotative movement to the sleeve and crank. At thesame time the sleeve 40 is adjustable longitudinally on the vmain axleor shaft so that each crank arm 17 and its wheel may be moved inwardlyof said shaft. A suitable clamping ring 43 is provided at the inner endof each sleeve 40 for clamping said sleeve against longitudinal movementwhen the machine is operated. The purpose of adjustably mounting theground wheels 19 on the shaft 13 is to permit said ground wheels to bemoved inwardly to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, in whichthe overall width of the machine is within the usual highwaylimitations. When the machine is in operation the wheels are movedoutwardly to gain maximum operating width of the blades.

For supporting each balde A at its forward portion a supporting collar44 (Figures 6 and 7) surrounds the sleeve 40 and a U-shaped hangermember 45 is welded or otherwise secured to this collar. The main shaftand sleeve 4d are freely rotatable within the bore of the hanger collar44 but said collar is restricted against longitudinal movement withrespect to the sleeve by confinement between one of the flanges 42 and astop ring 46.

Each hanger member is formed with forwardly directed supporting brackets47, each of which is provided with an opening 49: through which asupporting post 49 extends. The lower portion of the post 49 engages theback side of its respective blade and is welded or otherwise securedthereto while the upper portion of the post extends through the openings48 in the hanger brackets 47 A suitable retaining ring 54 welded to theupper end of the post 49 prevents disengagement of the hanger from thepost.

It will be obvious that each hanger 45 which supports one of the bladesA is so mounted that the main axle I or shaft 13, sleeve 44? and wheelsupporting cranks 17 may rotate with respect thereto whereby rotation ofthe shaft will not cause a swinging of the hanger bracket. Fortransmitting a direct pull to the forward portion of the blade, a collar51 is rotatable on the supporting post 49 and is confined between thebrackets 47 of the hanger. Each collar 51 has a forwardly extending lug52 to which is attached a rigid tie rod 53. The forward portion of eachtie rod 53 is connected to a plate 53a welded to the base flange 10a ofthe main beam 10 at the forward portion of said beam with multipleadjustment holes 53b therein to facilitate wheel and blade widthadjustment. Thus, when a forward pull is exerted on the beam, such pullis transmitted directly through the tie rods 53 to the posts 49 whichare attached to the forward portions of the blades A. This provides fora direct transmission of power to the blades. At the same time, sincethe tie rods are rigid and since the beam 10 is the central supportingelement and also because these members are directly attached to thepulling vehicle, it is obvious that the vehicle may be utilized toimpart a rearward movement or backing to the machine.

The rear portions of the blades A are rigidly connected to each other bymeans of a cross bar 54 with the connection between each end of thecross bar and the blade being made through an upstanding post 55 havingits lower end welded to the blade and its upper end attached to thecross bar by U-bolts 56. The cross bar is adapted to be connectedthrough a flexible chain 57 with the inclined beam section 12 at therear of the machine. Normally, the weight of the blades will maintainthe same in engagement with the ground but in the event the forwardportions of the blades dig too deeply into the ground, this will resultin the rear portions of the blades riding upwardly. Such upward movementof the rear portions of the blades will tend to lift the rear portion ofthe main beam, with the lifting being transmitted through the axle 13,because of the length of the beam forwardly of the shaft any upwardlifting force on the beam at the axle will tend to urge the forward enddownwardly toward the ground. This forward end is attached to thetractor and therefore by reason of the elongate center beam, it isimpossible to overturn the machine in a forward direction. This is adefinite safety feature. The provision of the rigid cross bar betweenthe rear portions of the blades will insure uniform operation of theblades because it combines the weight of both blades onto one or theother when the machine is operating over uneven ground. The floatingrear portion of the blades also automatically prevents overloading orchoking of the blades and therefore assures more efficient operation.

For absorbing side thrusts the front and rear portions of the blades areconnected by crossed truss rods 58 and 59. Suitable turnbuckles 60 areconnected in these rods. The rear portion of each truss rod is connectedto a plate 61 which is welded to the rear portion of the blade while theforward portion of each rod is connected to a plate 62 which is disposedbelow each hanger 45. It is noted that the plates 61 and 62 to which thetruss rods are connected are located in a plane below the axle, and thisarrangement provides for perfect alignment of the blades and alsorelieves the strain on the axle by efliciently transferring side thrustsfrom one blade to the other, thereby providing for proper balance duringoperation. The construction also permits the blades A to be maderelatively long and by locating the ground wheels at the extreme outerends of the axles a relatively low angle of attack on the dirt beingmoved is possible. Adjustment of the sleeves 40 which move the groundwheels inwardly and outwardly of the center of the machine alsofunctions to permit adjustment of the angle of the blades since thehangers 45 are mounted on said sleeves. The particular hanger mountingnot only provides for easy adjustment of the blades but also permits thedirect pull arrangement formed by the tie rods 53.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a very simple machine of rigidconstruction is provided. The blades are mounted so that they may beproperly adjusted to suit particular conditions. The rear portions ofthe blades are free floating because of their connection to the centralsupport or beam through the flexible chain. The raising and lowering ofthe axle which in turn controls the raising and lowering of the bladesis quickly and easily accomplished from the drivers seat of the pullingvehicle through the control rod 36 which con trols operation of thewinch or cable drum 29. When the winch is operated the central crank 20is swung and this results in a swinging of the wheel supporting cranks17 to raise and lower the frame. Not only does the single centralsupporting beam simplify the construction, but it also makes possibleeasier manipulation of the machine, because said machine may be reversedin its movement as well as pulled forwardly by the tractor or otherpulling vehicle.

As illustrated and described, the ground wheels are adjustable inwardlyand outwardly of the main shaft or axle but it is pointed out that thisadjustment could be omitted. It is evident that the wheel supportingcranks could be fixed in position on the axle, in which event reductionof overall width of the machine could not be accomplished. In such case,the hanger assembly which attaches the forward position of each blade tothe axle would, of course, remain adjustable so that the blade may beproperly positioned at the desired angle.

Having described the invention, we claim:

1. An apparatus of the character described including, a single elongatelongitudinally extending frame member, a transversely extendingsupporting shaft having its central portion rotatably secured to saidframe member at a point nearer the rear end of said frame member, acrank element mounted on each end of the shaft, a ground wheel journaledon the outer end of each crank element, whereby rotation of the shaftand swinging of the crank elements varies the elevation of the shaft andframe member with respect to the ground, a pair of ground engagingblades having their forward ends disposed between the frame member andeach ground wheel and extending rearwardly of said ground wheel, meansfor supporting the forward portion of each blade from the shaftcomprising an upright member which has its lower end secured to theblade and its upper end secured to a bracket which is mounted on theshaft and within which the shaft is rotatable, a rigid tie rod extendingfrom said bracket to the forward end of the frame whereby a directforward or rearward force upon the forward end of the frame member istransmitted directly through the tie rods and brackets to the blades,and flexible means for connecting the rear portion of each blade to theframe member whereby said rear portion is suspended from said framemember.

2. An apparatus of the character described including, a single elongatelongitudinally extending frame member, a transversely extendingsupporting shaft having its central portion rotatably secured to saidframe member at a point nearer the rear end of said frame member, acrank element mounted on each end of the shaft, a ground wheel journaledon the outer end of each crank element whereby rotation of the shaft andswinging of the crank element varies the elevation of the shaft andframe member with respect to the ground, a pair of ground engagingblades having their forward ends disposed between the frame member andeach ground wheel and extending rearwardly of said ground wheel, meansfor supporting the forward portion of each blade from the shaftcomprising an upright member which has its lower end secured to theblade and its upper end secured to a bracket which is mounted on theshaft and within which the shaft is rotatable, a rigid tie rod extendingfrom said bracket to the forward end of the frame whereby a directforward or rearward force upon the forward end of the frame member istransmitted directly through the tie rods and brackets to the blades,flexible means for connecting the rear portion of each blade to theframe member whereby said rear portion is suspended from said framemember, and crossed truss rods, each truss rod extending from the rearportion of one blade to the forward portion of the other blade and withthe connections between the truss rods and blades being disposed in aplane below the shaft.

3. An apparatus of the character described including, a longitudinallyextending main frame member, a transversely extending supporting shafthaving its central portion rotatably secured to the frame member, acrank element mounted on each end of the shaft and movable inwardly andoutwardly to various positions whereby the position of the crank elementrelative to the longitudinal center of the apparatus may be changed, aground wheel journaled on the outer end of each crank element wherebyrotation of the shaft and swinging of the crank elements varies theelevation of the shaft and frame member with respect to the ground, aground engaging blade on each side of the main frame member and disposedbetween the member and each ground wheel, a supporting bracket for theforward portion of each ground wheel, each bracket being mounted on theshaft and having the shaft rotatable therein, an upright memberconnecting each bracket to the forward portion of its associated blade,a flexible connection between the rear portion of each blade and therear end of the main frame member, and a rigid tie rod extending fromeach bracket to the forward end of the main frame member, whereby aforward or rearward force upon the forward end of the frame member istransmitted directly through the tie rods and brackets to the forwardends of the blades.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS908,645 Bonney Jan. 5, 1909 1,226,637 Bunker May 22, 1917 1,294,812 LageFeb. 18, 1919 1,514,039 Dreger Nov. 4, 1924 1,540,688 Fickes et a1 June2, 1925 1,605,078 Silver Nov. 2, 1926 1,624,421 Meyer Apr. 12, 19271,671,939 Smith May 29, 1928 2,454,475 Owen Nov. 23, 1948 2,662,311Chattin Dec. 15, 1953

